Three Shetland ponies rescued by a Lincolnshire charity had been severely neglected and left 'skeletal'.

Equine rescue and welfare charity Bransby Horses rescued the ponies last week from the Nottinghamshire area.

The ponies, Alfie, Tinkerbell and Tyrian, were all three were extremely lethargic on collection and were in very poor condition.

Alfie, who is just two years old, collapsed in the trailer and has since had to be lifted by the charity's Animal Reception Centre Team on numerous occasions.

Alfie is just two years old

He also has no muscle or fat on him and weighs just 35kg.

The rescue coincided with the first outbreak of this year's cold weather and with space already limited at the charity, foster homes are desperately needed for rescued animals to free up more space for in-takes this winter.

The owner of the Shetland ponies no longer has any equines in their care.

The charity says they struggled to initially see the severity of concern and reacted too late.